— A statewide watchdog group on Tuesday released a letter to the township committee regarding what it describes as possible impropriety on part of former Fairfield administrator and clerk Joe Veight.

Written by John Paff, of the New Jersey Libertarian Party’s Open Government Advocacy Project, the letter states that Veight had contracted a local firm for repairs at his Upper Deerfield home a month before that same company was awarded a $14,052 contract with the township.

“It appears that the same contractor performed work for both the municipality and Mr. Veight personally during January 2012,” wrote Paff in his letter, dated May 8 and addressed to the township committee.

“This is troubling because it raises the possibility that Mr. Veight might have derived some personal benefit — perhaps a discount on his roof — in exchange for steering the larger, municipal contract to the (contractor).”

Paff later adds, “I hasten to add that I have no evidence of actual impropriety, but my understanding is that local government officials are supposed to avoid financial transactions that suggest even an appearance of impropriety.”

To back up his claims, Paff included several township documents from Fairfield and Deerfield.

One document is an undated memorandum noting a $14,052 contract had been awarded to American Rehab and Construction, based in Bridgeton, and that the engineer on Jan. 4 of this year gave the “go ahead” to begin the job.

Also included is a “stop-work” notice sent from Upper Deerfield Township dated Dec. 23, 2011, stating that a roof was being installed at Veight’s address without a permit.

The last document is a building permit for the roof repair listing American Rehab as the contractor and signed by the firm’s owner, James Todd, and dated Jan. 3.

When asked for comment Tuesday evening, Veight, whose resignation as Fairfield administrator was approved by the township committee on Jan. 24, stated his roof repair and the municipal contract were in no way related.

“I contracted with James Todd, and had roof repair, and it was done way before the municipal job — done and paid for,” said Veight. “They were totally separate.”

Veight added that, at first, the contractor had begun for without the permit. However, he stated that was quickly remedied.

“They got the permit they needed and did the job — and they did a fine job,” he said. “Later, they put in a bid for a project for the township, and the township committee looked at the bids and chose (American Rehab).”

Veight also stated that he has had multiple projects performed at his residence during his 35 years living in Cumberland County, and that any contacts has made would be an asset as a township administrator.

“It’s the same for any other position of that kind,” he added. “And working on projects at private residences wouldn’t exclude contractors from bidding on municipal projects.”

Following their regular meeting Tuesday night, the Fairfield Township committee allowed solicitor John Carr to issue their response.

Carr described the letter as relating to an “ongoing investigation,” and that, as such, the committee members will be remaining “mum” on the subject until it’s complete.

“I can understand people hearing this and wondering how come the committee isn’t doing anything, but there are steps to be taken, and the committee is taking them,” said Carr. “Action is being taken, and it is reasonable and reasoned.”